BUTUAN CITY – With the approval of the application for scholarship grant through the Educational Assistance for the Youth in Agriculture (EAsY Agri) per memorandum issued by Director Alfredo S. Aton, the regional Scholarship Committee of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 facilitated the signing of Scholarship Service Contract of the grantees last August 11, 2020.
Prior to the signing, a virtual meeting via Google Meet was conducted to the 14 grantees together with their parents and the respective Municipal Agriculturists to provide a clearer understanding about the program.
Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo welcomed the participants by saying that though face-to-face engagements are restricted in this time of the pandemic, yet the need to deliver the information and pointers about the program should never be compromised. He said that the substance or the contents of the Scholarship Service Contract must be clearly discussed among the grantees as well as their parents.
Scholarship Point Person Mary Grace B. Salve presented the rationale and objectives of the program. She emphasized that EAsY Agri is a college scholarship program in support to the children of smallholder farmers and fishers to pursue a degree in agriculture, fisheries, Agricultural BioSystems Engineering, and related courses. She added that the program primarily aimed to provide subsidy for tertiary education of youth scholars and produce agricultural professionals and the new breed of farmers who are expected to help in improving the competencies of Philippine Agriculture.
Salve then enumerated the grantee’s privileges which include among others a monthly stipend amounting to Php 5,000 per month, school fees/registration fees of not more than Php 30,000 per year, book and research allowances. She also reminded the grantees to keep up with the standards set by the program and emphasized the obligations and responsibilities that they are expected to uphold to avoid breach or default of contract which will cause the mandatory refund of the cost incurred related to his/her course. Thus, Salve mentioned that aside from ATI, the parents and guardians must also encourage, mentor and monitor the performances of their children especially that classes will mostly be online or modular in nature.
The following are the deserving grantees of the EAsY Agri from School Year 2020-2024 taking up degrees in Agriculture, Fisheries and related fields: Rolyn Jay G. Aca-ac of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte; Banisa L. Amba of Basilisa, Province of Dinagat Islands; Rovelyn T. Corvera of San Agustin and Jennifer O. Vasquez of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur; from Surigao del Norte - Joshua B. Dalayap of Claver, Miela G. Dejande and Kristine Grace P. Odvina of Mainit, Darlyn P. Lawag of San Isidro, Lovely A. Reyes of Bacuag, and Cherry Ann Talictic of Tubod. Completing the list are the Agricultural BioSystems Engineering students namely April Joy H. Ayala of Bunawan and Khymbirly G. Caoile of Trento, Archie C. Estolonio of Bayugan City, all of Agusan del Sur, and Chivy M. Soliman of Bacuag, Surigao del Norte. The said grantees are enrolled at the Caraga State University (CSU), Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) and Surigao State College of Technology which are all located within Caraga region.
Except for Rolyn Jay Aca-ac who personally appeared to ATI together with his parents, the service contract signing was facilitated by the respective Local Government Units through the Municipal Agriculturists who have been so responsive and supportive since promotion and recruitment stage of the EAsY Agri.